Iron Bridge Camp Shelter
Closed — The campground is currently closed and showing no availability through at least early January 2026. Reservations can be made up to 11 months in advance through the Florida State Forests reservation system. Hunters should note that the forest allows hunting at various times throughout the year.
Freeze Watch issued December 30 at 12:05AM EST until December 31 at 9:00AM EST by NWS Jacksonville FL
* WHAT...Sub-freezing temperatures as low as 27 possible. * WHERE...Portions of northeast and northern Florida. * WHEN...From late tonight through Wednesday morning. * IMPACTS...Appropriate action should be taken to ensure tender vegetation and outdoor pets have adequate protection from the cold temperatures. Young children, the elderly and the homeless are especially vulnerable to the cold. Take measures to protect them.
About
Iron Bridge Camp Shelter is a backcountry camping facility situated within the 8,879-acre Etoniah Creek State Forest in Putnam County. Accessible only by hiking 1.7 miles from the Fieldhouse Road trailhead along the Florida National Scenic Trail, this remote site offers an authentic wilderness camping experience. The shelter itself is an enclosed structure with a sleeping loft and covered porch, and there is additional space for primitive tent camping in the adjacent clearing. The surrounding forest features a mix of natural communities including floodplain swamps, bottomland hardwoods, and upland pine forests. Three shallow creeks meander through the area, with Etoniah Creek being the namesake waterway. The forest serves as an important wildlife corridor, particularly for Florida black bears, and is also home to white-tailed deer, bobcat, fox squirrel, wild turkey, and several threatened species including the eastern indigo snake and gopher tortoise. Etoniah Creek State Forest is managed as a Wildlife Management Area, and hunting is permitted during designated seasons. Visitors should be prepared for primitive conditions with no potable water or electricity, and should take proper bear precautions. The forest also conducts prescribed burns throughout the year. Recreational activities include hiking on multiple trails, fishing, wildlife viewing, and nature photography.
Directions
From SR 19 in Palatka, drive 12 miles west on SR 100 to Holloway Road. Turn right and continue 2.5 miles north to Fieldhouse Road. Turn right at the forest headquarters sign. Park at the Florida Trail kiosk and hike north and east along the Florida Trail for 1.7 miles to reach the shelter.
Nearby Campgrounds
- Holloway Day Use Pavilion Etoniah State Forest 0.6mi
- Etoniah Creek State Forest Green Camp 2.7mi
- Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park Campground 8.4mi
- Rodman Campground 17mi
- Lake Delancy West Campground 23mi
- Equestrian Campground Welaka State Forest 23mi
- Welaka Primitive Campsites 24mi
- North Fork Black Creek Camp Zone Jennings State Forest 25mi
- Hammock Campground Jennings State Forest 27mi
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | No |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (386) 329-2552 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Availability
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